Awning construction



NOV. 6, 1951 SWEENEY 2,574,423

AWNING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 9, 1951 IN VENTOR [80 M jwcemsy BY fiwf ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AWNING CONSTRUCTION Leo M. Sweeney, Brentwood, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application February 9, 1951, Serial No. 210,219 6 Claims. (Cl. 160-57) My invention relates to conventional awning type closure structures including a flexible panel and related frame elements and in particular to such a structure having a bumper and protector member.

The various disadvantages inherent in awning structures of the type with which I am concerned result in excessive wear of the structural elements. The conventional awning is difficult and troublesome in operation and as blasts of wind cause the frame and panel members to strike and wear against adjacent building surfaces, frequently, wear spots or holes usually appear in the flexible panel, the frame joints become loose and the building finish may become marred, thus detracting from its general appearance. In operation, as the conventional awning is drawn up to closed position, the frame and flexible panel tend to bind, wedge or jam and need to be shaken before they become dislodged and can be lowered causing the operation of opening the awning to be difficult and troublesome. In addition, the pivoted frame, upon closing, may pass to a position vertically above or beyond the axes of the supporting brackets whereby the structure cannot be lowered under the influence of gravity alone. This condition present in conventional awning structures frequently requires shaking or pushing of the awning frame and panel outwardly of the building by hand.

In awnings of the drop curtain type the vertically travelling transverse rod about which the flexible panel is wound frequently scrapes against the adjacent building as the curtain is moved between its open and closed positions. Damage also occurs at points where the drop curtain structure contacts the wall, wear spots develop on the drop curtain panel, and the finish of the adjacent wall becomes marred.

With the above disadvantages of conventional structures in mind, it is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to provide resilient means associated with the frames of panel type closure structures for eliminating excessive wear and deterioration of the structural elements, positively insuring eflicient operation and securely holding the associated elements substantially immovable when the awning or curtain is in inoperative or closed position. This/reduces the movements of the structure due to wind blasts and the like and eliminates unpleasant noise and wear of the members contacting 'or striking the adjacent wall of the building.

Another object of my invention is to provide ings in which:

a closure protector and bumper member of such a resilient nature as to be deformed and compressed against the side of the building as the closure is secured in inoperative position, so that the closure structure will be rigidly and securely heldin spaced relation to the adjoining wall.

A further object of my invention is to provide a protector and bumper member for an awning structure eliminating lodging or jamming of the frame and panel elements as the closure is secured in inoperative position, thus insuring normal operation of the structure under the influence of gravity.

Another object of my invention is to provide a protector and bumper member for closures of this type which is pleasing in appearance, simple and inexpensive in manufacture, and, yet, easily adaptable to existing closure structures.

With the above and other objects in view, reference is made to the accompanying draw- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventiona awning incorporating my improvement;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the protector and bumper member as associated with the transverse frame member of an-awning;

Figure 3 is a side view of the device of Figure 1 showing the relationship of the parts in closed position;

Figure 4 is a side view partly in section illustrating the manner of attaching my protector and bumper member to the transverse rod of an awning frame structure;

Figure 5 is a simplified side'view of a drop curtain structure employing m protector and bumper member, and

Figure dis a partial side view of another form of drop curtain structure employing my protector and bum er member.

Figure 1 illustrates my invention as applied to a conventional awning structure having top and side panels I and 1 respectively and which are shown in the open position associated with the frame 5 of a window or door opening 2 in a building. The awning comprises a frame having side arms 3 and 3' pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement in brackets 4 and 4 located on or adjacent the opposite sides of the window frame. The open or free ends of the side arms 3 and 3 are rigidly connected by a vertically swinging transverse frame-member 6. The flexible fabric panel I is secured along one edge to the top horizontal frame member of a window, as

at 8, by hooks and eyelets or similar means and provided along the opposite edge with suitable means such as loops, not shown, for receiving the transverse frame member 6. Side panels '1 are secured to the top panel I as by stitching along the diagonal line 1 and may be provided with loops or the like along the lower edge for receiving the side arms 3 and 3'.

The conventional awning includes suitable means to elevate and lower the structure. Referring to Figure 1, ropes" or chains I5 are secured at one end to laterally spaced points [6 on the transverse rod 6 and are trained through pulley members IT, IT and I8 securely mounted on' the' window frame 5. A cleat or similar device I8, also mounted on the window fame; is utilized in securing and tying the free; ends of the ropes-or chains when the awning is in its closed or inoperative position.

The resilient protector and bumper member 9, forming the important feature of my invention, i secured to extended end portions (Figure 2) of the transverse frame member 6 as shown in detail in' Figure 4.

In reference to Figure 4, the resilient protector and bumper 9, made of molded rubber, vinylite plastic, or other similar material comprises a tubular cap ll' for'attachment to the tubular or rod-likeextensions lllof the frame member 6 and is provided with an exterior circular flange l3 for engaging the window frame or wall of the building.

The extensions l0-of theframe-member 6 are of sufficient length tospace the members 9 outwardly and laterally of the awning frame and panel elements to avoid interference with the panel members as they'arefolded when the-awning is raised'to closed position.

Suitable methods of attaching the protector cap II to tubular or rod-like elements are indicated, partly in phantom lines, in Figure 4 which illustrates such a rod or tube being inserted into the cap portion l I. As also indicated, a tube element may receive the entire cap portion H of the member 9, and, if desired, a circumferential groove [4 maybe provided on the'body of the protector to facilitate securing the same.

In forming the protector and bumper Iprefer to utilize the characteristics and properties of molded rubber, although any resilient, flexible, and compressible material may be employed.

In Figure my improvement is shown as applied to the transversely extending travelling rod of a drop'curtai'n structure; In this-construction a fabric panel 21', woundabout the transverse rod 28, has its upper edge secured to a second transverse rod 22'supported adjacent the top portion of a window or door opening 23 by suitable means, such as hook-typebrackets fl. The-panel which lies adjacent the wall surface is moved to its open and closed positions,- by means of cords or ropes 25 passing through pulleys or eyes 26. As the end of the rope 21 is-manipulated, the rod 20 is caused to travel avertical direction along the surface of the wall a'nd, in-addition, the cords or ropes 25- impa-rt rotary movement to the rod 20'; winding or unwinding the fabric panel as the rod 20 is raised or lowered.

In Figure 6 I have shown my improvement associated with another form of drop curtain or drop awning structure, which is becoming more popular in the awning industry. As shown in this figure, the fabric panel 31- isprovided with rings 32 spaced approximately twelve-inches apart in vertical rows, which: rows may be spaced hori- 4 zontally proportionately to the width of the awning panel. Additionally, the panel 3| is provided with a sleeve or pocket 33 for receiving 9, weight rod 34 and has hanging from this sleeve an additional section of fabric panel 36, which may be scalloped and bound in a manner similar to the bottom edge of the awning panel of Figure 1.

For operating the curtain structure, flexible means, such as ropes 31, are fastened to the weight rod 34 and are passedupwardly through the vertical rows of rings 32 and'suitable pulleys or eyes in a manner similar to that shown for the operating means in Figure 5. The free end of the operating ropes may be secured, as the awning is raised to the desired height, by securing the same to a cleateor the like in a manner such as indicated inFigure 1.

In this type of drop curtain structure, the weight. rod 34 does not turn; the fabric panel merely assumes a series of folds 38, indicated in Figure 6, when the rod iselevated by the operating ropes.

My protector member, when applied to this form of drop curtain structure, spaces the panel 3| and weight rod 34 from the adjoining wall of the building and will eliminate wear on the panel, the ropes 31, and the surfaces of the adjoining wall.

When an awning is in open. or extended position, as shown in Figure 1, the protector member merely adds to the general appearance of the structure. However, as the awning is moved to the closed position shown in Figure 3, the protector member 9 engages the. adjacent window frame 5 or building walhacting as a bumper to absorb the shock as the awning frame reaches its upper limit of travel. Also, the protector and bumper member acts as a spacing means to prevent the frame from passing to or beyond vertical dead center position.

In the design of the exterior flange l3 of my protector and bumper member 9, I make the radius R of greater length than the distance the pivot axes of the supporting brackets 4 and 4 1 be spaced outwardly from the window frame.

By this construction the side arms 3 and 3 cannot assume a vertical position, and the awning, including the relatively heavy transverse rod 6, at all times will-be responsive to the influence of gravity. Thus, the awning frame and associated panel are positively prevented from passing to or beyond dead center which would require a person to manually shove or push the awning outwardly of the building by hand.

Still another advantage found in having the awning spaced from the adjoining building is to increase the amount of air circulation afforded the folded fabric panel in its inoperative or closed position. Frequently, fabric panels of awnings are subject to rain and dampness, and under prolonged periods of exposure to moisture without sumcient air circulation molding and deterioration occur. By the use of my protector and bumper member the fabric panel of the awning, as it moves into closed position, shown in Figure 3, assumes a series of folds which are supported upon the tensioned operating ropes and chains. Thus, all portions of the panel are adequately exposed for contact with the surrounding air.

After the awning has been moved to closed position, the awning may be positively held against shifting movements. Additional tension on the operating ropes and chains results in the protector and bumper member being pressed tightly and compressed against the window frame effecting frictional engagement of the protector member and frame elements of the window to prevent relative motion or shifting of the awning. As the frame cannot move or strike the building the abrading action of the panel against thesame with resulting wear is eliminated.

The compression of the flange I3 on the member 9, as the awning is closed and secured, stores an amount of energy which facilitates the initial opening movement of the awning structure. As the tension on the operating ropes or chains is released, the compressed flange elements I3 expand to their original shape imparting an outward force on the awning frame to overcome the inertia of the structure in moving to the open position.

In drop curtain type closure structures my improvement functions as a protector and bumper as well as a spacing means. The yielding nature of the flange l3 on the protector and bumper 9 serves to protect the finish of the adjacent wall and to absorb the shock as the drop curtain structure strikes and scrapes therealong, as results in moving the curtain to the open and closed positions or when the curtain is subject to wind currents and the like.

As in awning operation, the drop curtain 2| may be secured in a substantially fixed immovable condition in the closed position by applying additional tension on the operating cords or ropes 25. After the operating means has rotated the transverse rod 20, winding the panel about the same, and the curtain has reached the limit of upward movement, additional tension on the cords or ropes 25 effects compression of the flange 13 against the adjacent wall. This tensioned frictional engagement of the protector and bumper 9 with the wall maintains the curtain and associated frame element substantially immovable in a manner similar to the operation of the awning as described above.

In the drop curtain type closure structure 11- lustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing, it will be obvious that my improvement functions as a protector and bumper member as well as a spacing means. As the curtain structure is elevated to closed position, the tensioned frictional engagement of the protector and bumper 9 with the wall will maintain the curtain and associated frame elements substantially immovable in a manner similar to the operation of the drop curtain structure of Figure 5.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of brackets for attachment to a wall on opposite sides of an opening therein and each having pivot points spaced outwardly from the wall, an awning structure comprising top and side panels and a frame having a pair of spaced side bars and a front bar connecting the outer ends of said side bars, said side bars having respective means at their inner ends for pivotally connecting same to the pivot points of said brackets, said top panel being adapted to extend downwardly and outwardly from the wall before the opening when the awning is lowered and having means at its upper edge to attach same to the wall above the opening, said top and side panels being attached at their lower edges, respectively, to said front and side bars, and bumpers comprising disks of resilient material of relatively great diameter each having means for securing same to the opposite ends of said front bar, the radius of each of said bumpers being substantially greater than the distance from the wall to the pivot points of said brackets, said bumper means being secured to the end portions of said front bar and being positioned outwardly beyond said side panels whereby interference of the bumpers and the folded top and side panel portions is avoided and the awning will drop by gravity when released.

2. In an awning structure of the type described the combination of a flexible panel having means at its upper edge for securing same to a building wall provided with an opening, a transverse- 1y extending vertically movable frame member supporting the lower edge of said panel, flexible operating means connected-to said member and the building wall for elevating said member to a position adjacent the building wall and above said opening therein and for lowering said member to a position below the upper end of the opening in the wall to cover the opening with said,

panel, securing means for said flexible operating means and yieldable contacting means comprising a bumper disk secured to each end of said frame member for engaging the wall on opposite sides of said opening to hold the frame and panel members spaced therefrom.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the yieldable contacting means constituting a protector and bumper member comprises a cap portion and an enlarged exterior flange portion.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the yieldable contacting means constituting a protector and bumper member comprises a tubular cap portion and an integrally formed exterior circular flange portion of substantially greater diameter.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the yieldable contacting means constituting a protector and bumper member comprises a cap portion and an enlarged exterior flange portion formed of a resilient, yieldable and deformable material.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the yieldable contacting means comprises a protector and bumper member formed of a resilient and deformable material compressible against the building wall as the closure is moved into closed position and expandable as said operating means is released to exert an outward force on said awning frame member overcoming the inertia of the same in moving the awning to open position. v

LEO M. SWEENEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS in the Number 

